Lt Col William O. Leach, U.S. Army (Retired), 83, of Owensboro passed away Saturday, May 18, 2019 at the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. Born September 24, 1935, Lt Col William O. Leach was the son of the late Otis and Clementine Cory Leach; was a graduate of Owensboro High School; earned his bachelor degree from Indiana University where he was in ROTC and entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant following graduation; and earned his master’s degree in hospital administration from Baylor in 1969. He was a dedicated and decorated military officer serving in several jobs in hospital administration. His career included posts at Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio; Ft Davis an Ft Clayton in the Canal Zone; Ireland Army Hospital, Ft. Knox; Ft. Leavenworth, KS; Vietnam; Valley Forge Hospital in PA; Ft . Lewis Madigan Army Medical Center; and retired from Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver in 1979 where he was Director of Patient Affairs. His decorations include the Bronze Star, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Army Commendation Medals, and the Vietnam Service Medal W/2 Bronze Service Stars
In 1960 he married the love of his life and Army career partner, Mary Elizabeth Unsel. Together, they completed a military career of nearly 25 years. After retirement, LTC Leach served as the Hospital Administrator of the hospital in Harrodsburg, KY. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Ernest Leslie Leach and Robert Allen Leach.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Mary Unsel Leach; children, Robert (Karen) Leach and Greg (Robin) Leach of Owensboro, and Mechele (Russell) Kaleiwahea of Lacey, WA; grandchildren, Elizabeth Leach, Laura Leach, Bobby Meeker, III, Jamie Haynes, Ivey Leach, Angela Nadeau, Ashley McNeely, Blake Kaleiwahea, and Brennon Kaleiwahea; and great-grandchildren, Amari Torterotot, Ella Haynes, Nathan Nadeau, Jacob Nadeau, Kaleb McNeely, Kendall McNeely, Adley Kaleiwahea, and Russell Kaleiwahea.
Services are 12 noon Thursday, May 23, 2019 in the Chapel of Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will be in Yellow Creek Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Special Olympics, the Spina Bifida Foundation, or Feed the Children. Memories and condolences for the family of Lt Col William Leach may be left at www.glenncares.com